IT was a triple celebration for students of Saint Mary's Primary School in Labasa as they celebrated World Teachers Day, World Children's Day and Fiji Day yesterday.
Principal education officer Bua/ Macuata Seru Curuivalu said the Education Ministry would always support such occasions in recognition of the status of children and the crucial roles of teachers.
Speaking on the theme of the celebration 'Take a Stand for Teachers', Mr Curuivalu encouraged everyone to applaud the work of teachers as dispensers of knowledge and wisdom.
"The work of a teacher is challenging as they prepare students for life in the real world — teachers need to be flexible bearing in mind we are faced with the children of the 21st century," said Mr Curuivalu.
"We should not expect teachers to be supermen or superwomen especially given family, extended family and societal commitments.
"With the continuous rise in undisciplined cases among our children in school, teachers are still the candle that consumes itself to light the way for others.
"Let us focus ourselves on the celebration of the children's day too for children are the heritage of the Lord."
Acknowledging the Fiji Day celebrations, Mr Curuivalu said Fiji had come a long way and lauded all who had contributed to the development of the country to its present dream of one people, one nation and one destiny.